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Cladribine (CLAD)
Cladribine is a purine nucleoside analog that is phosphorylated intracellularly and incorporated into DNA, causing strand breaks and apoptosis in lymphoid cells.
Cladribine is a purine nucleoside analog that is phosphorylated intracellularly and incorporated into DNA, causing strand breaks and apoptosis in lymphoid cells. Used for Hairy cell leukemia, Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Multiple sclerosis (relapsing-remitting).
At a glance
| Generic name | Cladribine (CLAD) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| Drug class | Purine nucleoside analog |
| Target | DNA (via deoxyadenosine analog incorporation) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Cladribine is a deoxyadenosine analog that accumulates preferentially in lymphocytes due to high deoxycytidine kinase activity and low 5'-nucleotidase activity in these cells. Once phosphorylated, it is incorporated into DNA where it causes strand breaks and triggers apoptosis, leading to selective depletion of T and B lymphocytes. This mechanism makes it effective in hematologic malignancies and autoimmune conditions.
Approved indications
- Hairy cell leukemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Multiple sclerosis (relapsing-remitting)
Common side effects
- Myelosuppression
- Neutropenia
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Infection
- Nausea
- Fever
Key clinical trials
- Cladribine Venetoclax in Monocytic AML (PHASE2)
- Olutasidenib Combined With Co-targeted Therapy in Relapsed or Refractory IDH1-mutated Myeloid Malignancies Harboring Activated Signaling Pathway Mutations (PHASE2)
- Prospective Effectiveness and Safety Study of Cladribine in Participants Who Change First-line DMD Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis (CLAD CROSS)
- Tagraxofusp and Low-Intensity Chemotherapy for CD123-Positive Relapsed or Refractory AML (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Safety and Efficacy of Cladribine Therapy After Anti CD20 Therapy
- Chidamide Combined With Clad/Gem/Bu With AutoSCT in High Risk Hodgkin & Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (PHASE2)
- Chidamide Combined With Clad/Gem/Bu With AutoSCT in R/R Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Cladribine (CLAD) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Cladribine (CLAD) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center portfolio CI